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Neck Care

Fri, 02 May 2025 19:38:55 GMT

Neck & Décolleté

Many clients are concerned about their necks and ask what they can do.

The skin on the neck and décolleté is thinner than that on the face, and contains fewer oil glands, which makes it prone to dryness, loss of elasticity, and sun damage.

Moreover, many people put all their attention on the face, and often forget to apply sufficient skincare product onto the neck and décolleté.

Here are a few handy tips to improve your care of this neglected area and help slow the aging process for a more youthful appearance:

Wear a broad-spectrum SPF everyday (even if cloudy), which will help protect this delicate area from UV damage - this is arguably the most effective way to slow down the ageing process.

Opt for lightweight serums and moisturisers, which will more easily penetrate this inner and more delicate skin without clogging the pores.

Look for products containing retinoids (to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines), hyaluronic acid (to hydrate the skin and maintain its elasticity), antioxidants such as vitamins C and E (to protect the skin and help prevent premature aging), and peptides (to boost collagen production and skin firmness).

Apply a hydrating and rejuvenating mask to this area; overnight masks are an excellent choice for this.

Exfoliating the area with a gentle scrub or enzymatic exfoliant will help remove dead skin cells, which brightens the skin and encourages cell turnover, thereby preventing a build-up of rough patches.

Apply products using gentle upward strokes to promote circulation and help prevent sagging.

Try a professional in-salon treatment - CACI facials and microneedling are especially effective at treating this area.

Summer Skincare

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 07:22:54 GMT

Summer Skincare

In the summer months, many of us spend far more outside than the rest of the year, which increases the risk of skin damage from the sun and pollution. For this reason, just like we change our clothing to match the season, so should we change our skincare too.

Prepare the Skin

With increased exposure to outside pollutants and increased perspiration, it is important to properly cleanse the skin. For this reason, we recommend double-cleansing the skin in the evening, which helps remove sweat and stale products, and allows your products to absorb deeper into the skin.

Treating the Skin

One of the biggest changes to the skin in the summer months is increased sweating, which can cause the skin to become dehydrated. This is exacerbated by the warmer weather, which increases evaporation from the skin. For this reason we recommend using hydrating products containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and bisabolol.

However, warmer weather also increases oil production, for which reason many prefer a lighter moisturiser in the summer months. We recommend Sentéales Intense Source Cream , which intensively hydrates parched skins. It contains:

�� Hyaluronic acid to intensely hydrate, plump, and smooth the skin.

��Prickly pear - an anti-ageing and moisturising extract that is packed with antioxidants.

��Cherry blossom to moisturise and defend against environmental aggressors.

To increase skin hydration, apply the moisturiser to damp skin , which locks in hydration and helps your moisturiser absorb more easily.

Protecting the Skin

As we spend more time outside, it increases our exposure to UV rays, which not only cause irritation, but also speed skin aging and cause hyperpigmentation. For this reason it is important to regularly apply a sun cream that protects against UVA and has an SPF of 30 or above.

When applying sunscreen, make sure you apply it not only to the face, but also the eye area, ears, and scalp. These sensitive areas are particularly susceptible to sun damage.

For more on sunscreen, what to look for, and how to use it - click here!

Sunscreen - The Ultimate Age-Defying Product!

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 21:12:23 GMT

The Importance of Sun-Screen

I am often asked what’s the one ‘anti-ageing’ product I would most recommend, and the answer is always the same - sunscreen!

80-90% of the visible signs of ageing are down to sun exposure, which is why sunscreen is the most important age-defying product you can buy. There's little point buying corrective products if you aren't protecting yourself from the major cause of skin damage.

However, not all sunscreens are the same, and it is important to purchase one that protects against both UVA and UVB:

�� UVB are short rays that cause sunburn and damage to the outer layers of the skin. These cause the majority of skin cancers.

�� UVA are longer rays that penetrate deep into the dermis. They break down collagen and elastin, and cause most of the damage associated with premature skin aging (wrinkles and dark spots), being especially visible on those who spend a lot of time outdoors. UVA is also a key cause of melanoma.

When looking at a sunscreen, the SPF relates to the product's ability to protect against UVB, however, it doesn't tell you if it protects against UVA.

UVA protection is typically denoted by the letters UVA in a circle, or the words UVA followed by a number of stars (you need to be looking for 4 stars or above), or the words ‘broad-spectrum sunscreen’.

Common Sunscreen Myths

Many people say they don’t need sunscreen as they don’t sunbathe. However, around 80% of our sun exposure comes from day-to-day exposure to ambient sunlight. This includes driving in the car, sitting in a conservatory or by a window, sitting out having a coffee, walking the dog, putting the washing out, doing the gardening, walking to the shops, etc.

In short, anytime it’s daylight, there’s UV rays. In many ways it is better to think of sunscreen as ‘daylight protection ’.

For this reason we should wear sunscreen all year round, not just in the summer. Whilst the winter sun may not feel as warm, its invisible UV rays still continue to damage our skin.

Even on a cloudy day we are at risk of sun damage, as clouds only filter about 20% of the sun’s rays.

Some people believe they don't need sunscreen as there skin is darker. However, whatever colour your skin, you still need a broad-spectrum sunscreen. On average, a black skin tone only has a natural SPF of 13, whilst fair skins have a natural SPF of 3, both of which are a far less than the recommended SPF of 30 (without even taking into account the need for UVA protection).

How to Use Sunscreen

��Wear a minimum SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, which will block about 97% of harmful UV rays.

�� Don’t scrimp! Use about 5ml (1 tsp) for the face and neck.

�� Sunscreen should always be the last product you apply before your make-up (if you wear it).

��Put on sunscreen at least 20 minutes before heading outside. Although zinc oxide and titanium dioxide work immediately, the absorbing sunscreen ingredients do not.

��In direct sun, reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and more frequently if you are sweating. If applying over make-up, you can dab it on using a make-up sponge.

�� Reapply sunscreen after coming out of the water - there is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen, only water resistant.

�� Avoid the sun between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun is at its strongest.

The Importance of Cleansing

Tue, 28 May 2024 07:23:33 GMT

The Importance of Cleansing

Cleansing is an essential step of any skincare routine, as the skin accumulates a layer of daily grime and bacteria comprised of:

Pollutants (exhaust fumes etc) that cause free-radicals to form. These damage our collagen and elastin, accelerating premature ageing.

Materials expelled from the skin (sweat, oils, dead skin cells etc.)

Topical creams, serums, SPF, make-up etc, which left on too long begin to go rancid.

This layer needs removing twice a day, or it can cause inflammation, sensitivity, blocked pores, spots, dullness, and premature ageing. It also creates a barrier, stopping serums and creams penetrating into the skin, which reduces their results.

Can I Use Wipes?

We do not recommend cleansing wipes as they only remove surface grime, leaving behind the ingrained dirt that causes dull and congested skins. Wipes are also packed with a cocktail of chemicals, which get left behind on the skin, causing dehydration, redness, and sensitivity with long-term use.

The Secret to Proper Cleansing

Instead of wipes, we recommend the following routine, being sure to only use cool (not hot) water :

Morning

As you are only removing night products and waste materials from the skin, you only need a simple cleanse and tone. Leave the skin slightly damp after cleansing to help your serums and creams penetrate more easily.

Evening

As you have a whole day of grime to remove, we recommend double-cleansing (unless you have seriously sensitive skin or rosacea). This simply means cleansing the skin twice before toning.

The first cleanse removes surface grime, such as SPF, make-up, moisturiser etc. The second cleanse gets deep into the pores, so methodically massage it around the skin for 1-2 mins.

By thoroughly cleansing the skin twice a day, you will kick-start your journey to brighter, softer, and clearer skin!

Causes of Premature Skin Ageing

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 18:04:00 GMT

Whilst many clients ask for treatments and products that are ‘anti-ageing’, my primary concern has always been for ‘skin health’.

Although all skins inevitably age, a healthy skin will be much slower to show the visible signs of ageing, and will therefore naturally appear more youthful.

Ageing of the skin is not solely dependent on ‘age’, which is why some people appear to look young for their age.

Skin ageing is caused by two factors, those that are determined by our genetics (known as intrinsic ageing), and those that are determined by external factors (known as extrinsic ageing).

Intrinsic ageing is inevitable, and is caused by the natural deterioration of skin function, which leads to diminished collagen production, less-springy elastin, decreased oil production, and slower cell turnover. This degenerative process begins in our mid-20’s, which is the ideal time to start on a preventative skincare regime.

However, genetics only account for 15% of the way our skin ages. The other 85% of premature skin ageing is caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, e.g. UV exposure, pollution, alcohol, smoking, stress, and diet (especially high sugar diets, which can cause glycation ). These external factors also have the capacity to speed up the rate of intrinsic ageing.

Of these external factors, the primary causes of premature ageing are UV and pollution , which cause skin sagging, thinning, fine lines, wrinkles, rough skin, loss of radiance, and skin discolouration.

As the largest causes of premature skin ageing are external factors, it means we can (to some extent) slow the rate at which our skin shows signs of ageing.

Some simple steps that can help keep the skin healthy, and slow down signs of premature ageing, include:

��Using an SPF and avoiding sun exposure where possible.

��Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks.

��Ensuring the skin is properly cleansed morning and night to remove pollutants (which cause free-radicals that ‘eat away’ at the skin’s collagen and elastin).

��Following a skincare regime that is targeted to your unique needs.

For more advice, why not book in for a facial at The Rowan Tree (Arundel, Sussex).

Beech Bud Extract in Skincare

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:52:09 GMT

The Power of Beech Bud Extract in Skincare

One of the principal botanicals found in Sentéales anti-ageing serum and cream is beech-bud extract (fagus sylvatica).

This extract is rich in rejuvenating compounds that are beneficial for the skin.

Its main active is hydroxyproline, which amino acid is a major component of collagen. This powerful peptide stimulates the skin to build new collagen and elastin, and helps maintains their stability.

Beech bud extract is also rich in vitamins and powerful plant growth hormones. These help stimulate cell turnover for a healthier, brighter, and smoother skin.

Beech-bud extract also has a large glutathione content, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants, and helps defend against the free-radicals that cause premature ageing. Glutathione is also produced by the body, but its production decreases as we age. In addition to glutathione, beech bud extract also contains antioxidant flavonoids.

The many benefits of beech bud extract include:

�� Supports collagen and elastin synthesis to firm and tone the skin, resulting in a more youthful complexion.

�� Reduces the depth of lines and wrinkles, and helps prevent their formation.

�� Restructures and plumps the skin, helping improve its texture.

�� Increases cell turnover for increased radiance and a more even skin tone.

�� Increased hydration of the skin.

�� Fights premature ageing caused by free-radicals.

�� Increased oxygenation of the skin.

�� Soothes and calms irritated skins.

�� Strengthens the skin barrier.

Benefits of Black Orchid in Skincare

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 21:50:07 GMT

The Black Orchid

The black orchid (cycnoches cooper) was first discovered by the English botanist Robert Allen Rolfe in 1913.

This resilient orchid grows in the Peruvian Andes, and can live for over a century. It also has the unusual ability to produce both male and female flowers on the same plant.

Black Orchid extract is rich in anthocyanins, a class of flavonoids that have potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to defend the skin against premature ageing.

Rich in Vitamin C, this extract also has a powerful brightening effect on the skin, working to revive dull and lifeless skins.

Black orchid extract helps draw water into the skin, working to plump, firm, and hydrate the complexion.

Tips to Help the Eye Contour

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:58:56 GMT

The skin under the eyes is up to 5x thinner than the skin on the rest of the face, and lacks the oil glands keeping the skin moist. This causes it to show signs of ageing more quickly, and makes it prone to dehydration, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and collagen loss.

The premature ageing of the eye area is exacerbated by the constant movement of the eyes; every blink, smile, or squint deepens our expression lines (such as crow’s feet)!

The area under the eye also has a dense network of purplish capillaries, and as the skin thins they become more obvious, appearing as dark circles.

These top tips can all help to ease these concerns:

Avoid common causes of puffy eyes and dark circles - these include high salt diets, lack of sleep, smoking, excess alcohol, dehydration, rubbing the eyes, and exposure to allergens.

Use a cold compress placed over the eyes for 10-15 minutes. Black or green tea bags work exceptionally well as they contain antioxidants. Black tea also contains caffeine, which constricts blood vessels and helps reduce dark circles.

Use a proper eye cream - being thinner and more delicate, this area needs a specially formulated product. Facial moisturisers are too heavy and contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, which cause puffiness, milia, and sensitivity.

Apply eye creams with gentle tapping motions, which helps reduce puffiness. Stretching and pulling delicate eye skin causes broken capillaries and weakens its elasticity, resulting in sagging skin.

Opt for a light hydrating eye cream that contains antioxidants to fight premature ageing, and peptides to boost collagen and elastin production.

We also of fer two professional eye treatments:

Sentéales Revitalising Eye Treatment - Decongesting massage techniques are combined with a firming eye mask to brighten the eye contour and reduce puffiness and dark circles.

CACI Eye Revive - Micro-current eye rollers, anti-ageing serum & a soothing Eye Revive Mask are used to lift and firm the eye area, soften fine lines & wrinkles, reduce puffiness and dark circles, and soothe and brighten the skin around the eye contours.

Please contact us for more information!

The Importance of Home Skincare

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:19:43 GMT

Home Skincare

Whilst much can be achieved during in-salon treatments, it is equally important to support this with proper home-care. Otherwise, it’s a little like going to the hygienist, but not brushing your teeth in-between!

It is important this home-care regimen is optimised for results, and properly chosen and adapted to your individual needs. This is where an in-salon skincare consultation can be extremely useful, as we will be able to examine your skin and determine where your efforts are best directed.

A well-designed home-care regimen should help nourish, restore, and rebalance the skin to its natural flora, and ensure the skin is thoroughly hydrated and has a healthy lipid barrier.

This not only sets you on the road to healthy and properly-functioning skin, but also gives the skin the resilience it needs for more advanced anti-ageing treatments; compromised skins don’t tolerate intensive treatments very well!

A comprehensive home-care regimen also ensures the skin is in the best shape to get maximum and longer-lasting results from your professional in-salon treatments.

We recommend consistently following this simple three-step regimen both morning and night, using products suitable for your skin and its needs:

Prepare - Cleanse and tone.
Treat/Correct - Using a serum or elixir to address the skin’s unique needs.
Protect - Hydrating and nourishing moisturiser (and an SPF by day).

Twice a week, a suitable exfoliator may be added in to stimulate cell turnover and promote healthy skin.

For more advice on the continued care of your skin, why not book in for a facial at the Rowan Tree!

The Importance of Keeping the Skin Cool

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 18:24:13 GMT

The Importance of Keeping the Skin Cool

One of the common skin stressors is heat, whether this comes from washing the face with hot water, taking long hot showers, or sitting in hot centrally heated rooms.

The top layer of our skin (the stratum corneum) contains water and oils to help the skin retain moisture. However, heat softens these oils, just as butter melts when it is heated, which results in the natural lipid (oil) barrier melting away. This results in moisture loss and causes the skin to feel tight, dry, and itchy. It also leads to redness, sensitivity, dull and rough skin, and premature ageing.

Making the simple change to washing the face with cool water and avoiding sitting too near sources of heat can make all the difference.

If your skin is suffering from sensitivity or dryness, it is worth making the swap for products containing skin-calming and moisture-boosting ingredients. Ingredients to look out for are ceramides, fatty acids, aloe vera, niacinamide, chamomile, and liquorice root.

Do I Need A Toner?

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 18:21:12 GMT

Do I Need A Toner?

Whilst ‘cleanse, tone, moisturise’ has long been the mantra for a foundational skincare routine, over the years, toning has fallen out of favour. A lot of this results from the bad-old days of toners, when they were mostly comprised of skin-stripping alcohol.

So why should we use a toner?

1. To hydrate the skin - most toners now contain ingredients to quench the skin’s thirst, which hydration is trapped in the skin by our moisturiser. This helps maintain the skin’s barrier, protecting the skin from dehydration and defending against external irritants like bacteria and pollution.

2. To rebalance the skin’s pH - if your cleanser has a high pH, toner will help restore the skin’s natural acidity. Although long-term, you need to make the switch to a pH balanced cleanser, which won’t leave your skin tight and dry!

3. To infuse the skin with active ingredients - many toners now contain active ingredients that help treat the skin.

4. To enhance product-absorption - as moist skin is more permeable than dry skin, using a toner before your serums and moisturisers will enable their active ingredients to penetrate deeper, enhancing their ability to deliver results.

5. To remove any last traces of cleanser - as hard as we might try, sometimes traces of cleanser are left behind. A toner is a quick and gentle way to remove this.

Its easy to see why adding a toner into your skincare routine is an easy way to give your skin a boost!

Here at The Rowan Tree we recommend the use of Sentéales Refreshing Tonic Lotion to refresh and soothe the skin after cleansing, which contains:

�� Green Tea - rich in polyphenols, which have potent antioxidant and skin-soothing properties.

�� English Marigold (Calendula) - reduces inflammation, is an effective antiseptic, and a natural antioxidant.

�� Magnolia Leaf - helps promote lipid synthesis to restore the skin’s barrier, and works to condition and soothe the skin, and reduce redness.

�� Sea Kelp - rich in healing iodine and toning and moisturising minerals. It forms an invisible film on the skin, which helps slow down water loss.

The Secret to Hydrated Skin

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 18:16:20 GMT

The Secret of Hydrated Skin

We all know that hydrated skin is key to a soft and supple complexion, and that dehydrated skins are prone to becoming rough, flakey, irritated, dull, and prematurely aged.

However, few realise the principle cause of dehydrated skin is a compromised skin barrier, typically caused by harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation, hot water, environmental factors (such as weather, pollution, etc) - all of which strip the skin’s natural oils. It can also be affected by genetic factors, such as sebaceous gland density and skin-barrier function.

If the upper layers of your skin don’t have enough lipids (oils) to form a stable water-proof barrier, water can easily evaporate out of the skin.

As dehydrated skin is an external problem, it is most efficiently treated from the outside in the form of a moisturiser, which helps plump up thirsty skin cells and trap moisture in the skin.

A common misconception is that drinking lots of water will help rehydrate the upper laters of the skin. However, whilst drinking water is essential for the body to function properly, and has numerous skin benefits (such as helping to flush toxins out of the body), increasing the amount you drink has no direct link to the hydration of the skin’s upper layers. It will hydrate the deeper dermal layer, and help improve skin elasticity, but as this water doesn’t directly pass into the epidermis it cannot correct a parched skin.

As the dermatologist Kate Roda MD sagely said, ‘humans aren't like plants. Our skin doesn't perk up when we consume water.’

In short; an application of a topical hydrating lotion will do far more your skin hydration levels than drinking endless bottles of water!

Top Tips for a Hydrated Skin:

1. Minimise your exposure to low humidity, strong winds, dry heat, and the sun.

2. Wash the skin with cool or warm water, rather than hot water, which robs the skin of moisture.

3. Opt for a gentle pH balanced cleanser and toner that doesn’t strip the skin’s oils.

4. After cleansing and toning, don’t blot; apply your serums/creams to damp skin, which will lock the water in.

5. To boost hydration levels further, apply a hydrating serum, and lock this in with your moisturiser.

7. Look for moisturisers rich in replenishing oils (such as raspberry seed, jojoba, shea butter, etc), which help the skin form an effective barrier to water loss.

8. Eat plenty of foods rich in essential fatty acids - good sources include walnuts, flaxseed, borage, and olive oil.

For more advice on improving the health of your skin, and with it helping to stave off premature ageing, why not book in for a facial with us at The Rowan Tree!

Night-time Skincare

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 18:13:05 GMT

The Importance of Night-Time Skincare

Our skin effectively has a day-time and a night-time mode. During the day it is in protection mode, working hard to fight against UV and environmental aggressors (such as pollutants, wind, temperature fluctuations etc). This is why it’s important to use products that are shielding and anti-oxidant during the day.

At night, when the skin no longer has to worry about defending itself, it switches to repair mode, and begins to undo the damage of the day by repairing old cells and making new ones. We can help support and enhance this process of cell rejuvenation and restoration by using products that help replenish the skin, undo the day’s free-radical damage, and aid cellular renewal.

At night, the skin is more permeable, and better able to absorb topically-applied ingredients, making it the perfect time to use regenerative skincare formulations. This is all the more important, because whilst the skin produces its maximum amount of waterproof sebum during the day, this production drops at night, which leaves the skin prone to water-loss through evaporation. This evaporation of water from the skin is exacerbated by the increase of body temperature at night (as a result of its natural regenerative processes). To remedy, and prevent night-time dehydration, it is important to lock hydration into the skin overnight.

Top Tips:

Get enough sleep! Without adequate sleep, the skin doesn’t have enough time to complete its regeneration.
Cleanse away the accumulated grime of the day to enable the absorption of your products.
Apply a skin treatment serum or elixir - choose one that aids skin regeneration, and helps repair and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
Lock in the serum or elixir using an occlusive moisturiser (such as one containing shea butter, jojoba, or squalene) or overnight mask.
If you struggle with the thought of a night-time routine, move it to the early evening - it doesn’t have to be done immediately before getting into bed!

Sugar and Skin Ageing

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 23:19:59 GMT

Glycation - Sugar and Skin Ageing

We are all used to hearing how sugar damages our teeth, waistline, and health. However, few realise its contribution to premature skin ageing.

High-sugar diets lead to excess glucose (sugars) in the body. This glucose binds to our collagen and elastin, creating Advanced Glycation End-products (or AGEs), and causes collagen and elastin fibres to become stiff and brittle. It also degrades collagen from Type III (the strongest form) to Type I, the weakest form. The end result is an increase in fine lines and wrinkles, and lax and sagging skin, especially around the jowl area.

Excess glucose in the body can also deactivate our natural anti-oxidant enzymes, leaving the skin vulnerable to free-radical damage, and reduces the skin’s lipid (oil) content. This impairs the skin’s barrier function, and further accelerates premature ageing of the skin.

Glycation damage typically appears in our mid-30’s, but with high-sugar diets becoming common at ever younger ages, some are displaying signs of glycation in their 20’s.

The most obvious sign of glycation ageing are deep cross-hatch lines appearing around the crows-feet, lip, and chin area. When we think of ‘normal’ wrinkles they run in a linear fashion, and are parallel to one another. However, glycation wrinkles cross over each other and create a pattern similar to the photo below:

How to Fight Glycation:

Cut back on sugar, keeping it to no more than 10% of your daily calorie intake. Look out for sugars hidden in foods and drinks!
Cut down on smoking and UV exposure, both of which can speed up AGE formation, and wear an SPF to protect against UV.
Try to get enough sleep, as this is when the skin repairs and regenerates itself. Lack of sleep can lead to wrinkles, poor skin tone, and loss of elasticity.
Drink enough water, which the body needs to carry out the functions supporting healthy skin, including the production of collagen and elastin.
Make sure your diet includes plenty of antioxidants, which protect against the damaging effects of free radicals and helps prevent sugar from attaching to proteins. Examples include berries, leafy greens, and green tea.

Skincare

We recommend Sentéales Anti-Age ing Cream, which contains:

Flavonoid-rich Black Orchid and Cherry Blossom extracts, which are potent antioxidants and help inhibit protein glycation.
Collagen and elastin boosting extracts of Everlasting, Beech Buds, Cherry Blossom and Soy Glycine.
Peptides to help reduce wrinkle-depth.
Hyaluronic Acid to replenish the skin’s moisture, smooth the complexion, and plump fine-lines and wrinkles.
A nourish blend of Raspberry Seed Oil and Shea Butter, which are rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, helping to replenish the skin’s natural barrier.

Why not book in for a facial at the Rowan Tree for expert help with your skin care, and to begin your journey towards a healthy skin

Effects of Pollution on the Skin

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 22:09:29 GMT

Effects of Pollution on the Skin

Whilst we are all aware of the damage caused by breathing in polluted air (from exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, particulates in the air etc), few are aware of the effects it has on the skin, which include premature aging, wrinkles, dark spots, lack of elasticity and firmness, and rough, dry skin.

Date from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that almost the entire global population (99%) breathe air exceeding WHO guideline limits for air-borne pollutants.

As the first line of defence against environmental aggressors, our skin is chronically exposed to these air-borne pollutants. Once on the skin, they cause oxidative stress in the skin by generating large quantities of free-radicals.

Free radicals are a major cause of premature ageing, causing cell damage, degradation of collagen, and a loss of the lipids and ceramides that make up our waterproof skin-barrier. The impairment of the skin-barrier not only leads to dehydration and sensitivity, but also allows chemicals and pathogens to enter the body. This in turn, can lead to inflammation, or what some scientists are now calling ‘inflammageing’.

How to Protect Against Pollution

Proper skin care can help mitigate some of the effects of pollution by neutralising free-radical damage and lowering inflammation in the skin. Useful tips include:

Cleanse the skin twice a day to remove dirt, debris, and pollution residue from the skin surface.
Avoid harsh cleansers and soap to avoid damaging the skin’s natural barrier function.
Look for ingredients that help shield the skin against pollutants.
Look for ingredients that help to support the skin barrier function.
Look for ingredients that are potent antioxidants, such as Vitamin E and C.

For help in restoring your skin’s health and wellness, and for more advice on skincare, why not book in for a facial treatment!

Ceramides and the Skin Barrier

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:55:42 GMT

Ceramides - for a healthy skin-barrier and to lock in hydration!

Ceramides are a naturally occurring lipid (fat) and make up over 50% of the skin’s natural protective barrier. Together with cholesterol and fatty acids, they form a water-proof barrier that keeps the skin supple, helps prevent water loss (keeping it hydrated), and protects against entry of micro-organisms.

As we age our skin’s production of ceramides slows, producing them at a loss of around 1% a year from the age of 20. They are also depleted through exposure to cold and dry winter air, sun damage, the over-use of soaps and exfoliants, products that aren’t pH balanced, and by use of hot water.

If you think of the skin-barrier as bricks and mortar, the cells are the bricks and the ceramides are the mortar holding it together. And, just like a wall with cracked mortar, a skin with insufficient ceramides is unstable. It leads to dehydration, dry and rough skin, irritation, redness, various skin disorders, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

To remedy this, products containing ceramides can be used to replenish those lost from the skin, which helps hydrate the skin, keeps it firm and supple, soothes irritation, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ceramides are naturally occurring in many plant oils, including Jojoba (up to 96% ceramides) and Sunflower Oil (68% ceramides).

Both these oils are found in Sentéales Vitality Cream, which works to soothe, shield, and repair dry and aggravated skins. This wonder-cream also contains Shea Butter, and Sunflower Oil, which help the skin synthesise its own lipids (fats), including ceramides.

How to Preserve the Skin's Barrier

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:12:29 GMT

Preserving the Skin Barrier

Over the years we have treated many clients whose skins have become sensitised through over-use of peels, aggressive exfoliants, and active ingredients.

Others have overwhelmed their skin by constantly changing their skincare routine in accordance with whatever the media deems the product/ingredient of the day!

In prioritising aggressive and invasive ‘quick fixes’ over long-term skin health, the skin’s barrier becomes disrupted, leading to inflammation, sensitivity, and dehydration. A compromised skin-barrier also results in premature skin ageing.

When I trained in the late 1990’s, the mantra instilled into us was, ‘always preserve the skin’s barrier’, the importance of which science has proved again and again!

Our primary concern has always been for the skin’s health, favouring a gentler approach to promoting long-term skin health, rather than aggressive quick-fixes that can cause compromised and sensitised skin.

This less aggressive and invasive approach helps restore the skin’s natural barrier, improves the skin’s health and resilience, slows down skin ageing, and results in a dewy and radiant complexion.

Our key concerns are to repair the skin’s barrier, replenish the skin for improved function, and when the skin’s health has been improved, begin introducing treatments and products to regenerate the skin.

Some simple tips that can start you on this route at home are:

- Use an SPF on the face every day.
- Only use pH-balanced skincare products.
- Avoid harsh skincare ingredients, aggressive exfoliation, and strong acids, which can disrupt the skin’s barrier.
- Avoid washing the face with hot water.
- Replenish the skin through moisturisers and serums that work to rehydrate and nourish the skin, especially those containing anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Skin Hydration and Product Absorption

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 10:56:24 GMT

Moist skin absorbs skincare products far more easily than dry skin. By spritzing the skin before applying your serums and elixirs, the active ingredients are more efficiently absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, which increases the effectiveness of your products.

We recommend spritzing the face with Sentéales Vivifying Mist before applying your serums and elixirs. With a delicate blend of grapefruit, lemon, lavender, and peppermint, it’s the perfect treat to hydrate, energise, purify, and rebalance your skin.

It can also be used throughout the day to rehydrate the skin, and help set and refresh make-up.

Why French Skincare?

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:44:36 GMT

When Decléor announced they were to cease trading, my first instinct was to find another French skincare range. This led me to the Parisian range, Sentéales, and from the moment their products touched my skin I fell in love!

A lot of my clients often ask what it is about the French approach to skincare that I love so much.

My first encounter with professional French skincare was in the mid-1990’s, and I was immediately taken with their non-fussy, simple and elegant approach to improving the skin’s health.

French skincare has long been held as the gold standard in beauty products, typically favouring the art and science of using natural ingredients over synthetics. Rather than overwhelming the skin with a bewildering array of chemicals, French skincare favours a more refined approach, where less is more. By focussing on a few key active ingredients, the skin more easily absorbs the product, delivering visible and consistent results without aggravating the skin.

The French philosophy also prioritises a prevention-based and holistic approach to skincare, where taking consistent care of the skin’s health is a positive form of self-care. In focussing on long-term results, rather than quick fixes, it helps support the skin’s barrier function and maintain the skin’s balance, preventing many common concerns, such as acne, lack of radiance, and premature ageing.

The Benefit of Body Scrubs

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:44:36 GMT

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and is constantly renewing itself. However, this process isn’t always as efficient as it should be, and we are sometimes left with a build-up of dead skin cells on the body, which results in a rough, dull, and lacklustre skin.

One way to alleviate this is with a body scrub, which works to slough away the accumulated dead skin cells, revealing petal-soft skin with a radiant glow.

Exfoliating away dead skin cells also allows your body moisturiser to soak into the skin more easily, breathes new life into tired skins, helps unclog pores, and helps prevent ingrown hairs.

Why not book in and try our Body Delight treatment, which begins with a 30 minute aromatic exfoliating massage using Pink’s Boutiques 100% natural and organic body scrubs. The body is then enveloped in a nourishing Shea Butter balm infused with essential oils, leaving the skin brightened, smoothed, and satin soft.

Sterex Advanced Cosmetic Techniques

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:44:36 GMT

Sterex Advanced Cosmetic Procedures

Some skin blemishes need more than skincare, and to help support our clients, we offer Advanced Cosmetic Procedures (ACP) using diathermy as taught by Sterex.

With ACP we can quickly and easily treat a wide range of unwanted blemishes, often with immediate results, offering eventual blemish free skin without cutting, stitching or leaving a surgical scar. This treatment does not involve laser or cryo.

Pictured is a before and after of one of our clients, who we treated to reduce the appearance two benign flesh coloured moles. (We do not remove the mole, only visibly reduce its appearance).

Other blemishes treatable by ACP include skin tags, seborrhoeic keratosis , milia, Campbell de Morgan (blood spots), sebaceous cysts, thread veins, spider naevus, age spots, warts, and verrucae.

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Neck Care

Neck & Décolleté ﻿

Summer Skincare

Sunscreen - The Ultimate Age-Defying Product!

The Importance of Cleansing

Causes of Premature Skin Ageing

Beech Bud Extract in Skincare

Benefits of Black Orchid in Skincare

Tips to Help the Eye Contour

The Importance of Home Skincare

The Importance of Keeping the Skin Cool

Do I Need A Toner?

The Secret to Hydrated Skin

Night-time Skincare

Sugar and Skin Ageing

Effects of Pollution on the Skin

Ceramides and the Skin Barrier

How to Preserve the Skin's Barrier

Skin Hydration and Product Absorption

Why French Skincare?

The Benefit of Body Scrubs

Sterex Advanced Cosmetic Techniques

Neck & Décolleté